You can now add Manchester City to Atletico Madrid in the list of clubs who have tried and failed to keep the much-coveted playmaker at arms’ length.
He received the ball just inside the opposition half.
And, like against Diego Simeone’s Atleti in last season’s Champions League group-stages, the Premier League-linked midfielder needed only a split second to play the sort of inch-perfect, defence-splitting through ball which eventually served up the opening goal on a silver platter.
Matt O’Riley produced 18 assists for Celtic last season to go with his 19 goals.
And while the assist which set up the first of Nicolas Kuhn’s brace during Celtic’s 4-3 pre-season win over Man City on Wednesday will not count towards his 2024/25 tally, it did serve as a reminder as to why O’Riley has so many admirers.
Not only sought of the border but across the Channel too.
Liverpool tipped to make move for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley
HITC understands that Europa League winners Atalanta have already had bids rejected. Celtic are holding out for a fee in excess of £25 million.
One that would see O’Riley replace Jota as the most expensive export in their history.
Talks have also been held with West Ham United, Everton, Brentford and a Fulham side where the London-born Denmark international started his career, HITC reports.
But could O’Riley aim a littler higher even than Atalanta and West Ham?
Liverpool legend John Barnes thinks so, talking up the prospect of Celtic’s Player of the Year bringing his scalpel-like left-boot to Anfield even if O’Riley may struggle to oust Dominik Szoboszlai or Alexis Mac Allister from Arne Slot’s first XI.
“Liverpool have Szoboszlai and MacAllister who are midfielders and, if (Stefan) Bajcetic is used as a six, should (O’Riley) take over for those two? I highly doubt it,” Barnes, who had a brief spell managing Celtic around the turn of the century, tells Tipsbladet.
“But when you talk about having a good squad, he could be a player who comes in and complements what we have.
“I don’t know if he will come in and start, but he will be a welcome addition to the squad. If we can get a good player with that quality at a fair price, I don’t see why not.”
After struggling to make his mark at Fulham, O’Riley dropped down to England’s third tier with MK Dons.
It was under Russell Martin where he really made his name at the Stadium MK, his dazzling performances paving the way for Celtic to make their move back in January 2022.
Martin has continued to watch O’Riley’s progress closely ever since. And the now-Southampton boss is making no secret of the fact he would jump at the chance to reunite with a man he tried to lure to Swansea City before The Hoops got their man.
Southampton are big fans of Russell Martin favourite
“Matty is someone I had a brilliant relationship with when I worked with him,” Martin, who guided The Saints back to the Premier League via a play-off final victory over Leeds, tells the Daily Echo.
“I tried to take him to Swansea and it would have been incredible business for them, as it has been for Celtic.
“He’s had a lot of interest from a lot of clubs. I’ll always have an interest in Matty whilst I’m managing and he’s playing because as a person, he’s great.
“As a player, he’s top. If my interest at some point then becomes interest to actually work with him again because it’s achievable then… I think that would be why you and some other people probably think it’s clear I want him, because we have a great relationship.
“But we’ll have to wait and see. We are not in a position where we’re going to go and spend absolutely huge sums of money on players. I think Celtic want a lot of money for Matty as would I, as any club would if they had one of their top performances.
“So, yeah, we’ll just have to wait and see. But he’s someone that I like as a person and a player and there are lots of them.”
HITC were told that Celtic may renew their interest in Middlesbrough’s Riley McGree should near-namesake O’Riley depart.
The Australian has since signed a new four-year deal at the Riverside however.
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